Travel

The towns are “the best of the best.”

Great beaches are even better when surrounded by colorful beach towns full of memorable food, epic bars, and scenic walks, and New England has three of the best, according to Thrillist.

Thrillist recently released a list of the 20 greatest beach towns in the U.S. and included Cape Cod’s Wellfleet and Provincetown; Ogunquit, Maine; and Narragansett, R.I.

The towns are “the best of the best,” according to the website’s travel writers, who described them as “dreamy towns, where the locals vibe with the visitors, and the food and drink become the stuff of endless summer memories.”

Cape Cod is the “quintessential vacation wonderland” and Thrillist grouped two Cape towns together on the list: Wellfleet and Provincetown.

Wellfleet, on the outer Cape, is where “life is quieter and the pace is slower,” wrote the website. Visitors can enjoy Marconi Beach, part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, and eat clams from Mac’s Seafood while watching the sunset in the harbor from a communal picnic table.

Provincetown, also known as P-town, is known for its LGBTQ+ community, wrote Thrillist, and on busy Commercial Street there’s “a delightful mix of drag queens, families with kiddos, locals, and a young artsy crowd from all over.”

While on Commercial Street, travelers can grab seafood from the Lobster Pot, which Thrillist noted was a favorite of Anthony Bourdain.

Ogunquit is Maine’s “summer sweet spot,” wrote Thrillist.

Not only is Ogunquit Beach ranked one of the best in the nation, but there’s a strong LGBTQ+ community, the beautiful Marginal Way cliff walk, and great restaurants, boutiques, and museums, wrote the website

Finally, Narragansett not only has the best surfing in New England, but it’s home to the Coast Guard House, one of the best beach bars in America, wrote Thrillist.

“Hit up Aunt Carrie’s clam shack or Iggy’s Doughboys and Chowder House, both classics with dining rooms and takeout windows,” wrote the website.

Check out the list of the 20 greatest beach towns in the U.S.